Shillong, June 21: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has asked the state government to release a white paper on granting environmental clearance to Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd.
The Star Cement is expanding its mining project at Brishyrnot in East Jaintia Hills district.
In an open letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and all cabinet ministers, the HITO wanted the government to come up with the white paper within this month.
The letter was submitted to Health Minister AL Hek on Monday.
HITO president Donbok Dkhar told reporters that the state government should not provoke the peace loving people by decisions which affect the environment and its surroundings.
Dkhar asked the government to put on hold the environmental clearance.
He also criticised the East Jaintia Hills district administration for its failure as nothing was done in accordance with rules.
“If the public hearings could not be held due to stiff opposition from the public, you still have other options like organising a signature campaign which was not explored by the district administration,” he said.
Alleging murky design behind, the letter said” If the allegations are found to be true, then all concerned parties need to be taken to task right from the applicant to the facilitating state agency and all the way up to the issuing authority.
